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2012-12-24 -Lurid Crime Tales-

Firefighters ambushed responding to WNY blaze

The residents of Lake Road, on a small peninsula at the mouth of Irondequoit Bay, woke up this morning to hell, hell on Christmas Eve. Volunteer firefighters from West Webster and Webster (NY) responded to the report of a house fire at 5:45 a.m. On arrival, they were ambushed and four firefighters were shot. Two have died and two are reported in serious condition at a local hospital.

Posted by Chuck Simmins 2012-12-24 12:43|| || Front Page|| [11143 views ] Top

#1 Meth lab nearby ?

Posted by Besoeker 2012-12-24 13:14|| 2012-12-24 13:14|| Front Page Top

#2 WTF??!

Posted by bigjim-CA 2012-12-24 13:22|| 2012-12-24 13:22|| Front Page Top

#3 Update from NSJ sez the shooter is dead.

Posted by Pappy 2012-12-24 13:31|| 2012-12-24 13:31|| Front Page Top

#4 As has been said before - we wonder why this is very rare in UK...

Posted by Herb Hupeng3217 2012-12-24 14:02|| 2012-12-24 14:02|| Front Page Top

#5 As I recall, Webster is the last exit off the I-90 before the Pennsylvania border. The people there were very kind to me when the deer crashed into my car, completely shattering the front windshield -- an example of physics I have chosen not to explore. The bits I saw were a pretty example of asmall American town, though that was 1990 -- it may have changed since, if it's got meth labs

Posted by trailing wife 2012-12-24 14:07|| 2012-12-24 14:07|| Front Page Top

#6 #4 As has been said before - we wonder why this is very rare in UK...
Posted by Herb Hupeng3217

It's the walk to the pub Herb. Pub grub and a few pints, some darts, then up the road again, pet the dog and to bed. The way life was meant to be dimmit!

Posted by Besoeker 2012-12-24 14:15|| 2012-12-24 14:15|| Front Page Top

#7 Webster is just east of Rochester, on the other side of Irondequoit Bay. The shooting took place on a peninsula across the mouth of the bay. The shooter, felon Wm. Spengler, took a position in natural cover behind a berm and fired on the firefighters as they arrived. First police on scene exchanged fire with Spengler then lost him in the dark and smoke. Was later found dead from a gunshot to the head, suicide.

Spengler served 18 yrs for the murder of his grandmother with a hammer in 1980. Paroled 1998 through 2006. As a felon, illegal for him to have firearms. Reportedly, his mother died a couple moths ago. They have not found his sister, also residing at the original fire scene.

7 houses destroyed by fire. Reminds me of the Breezy Point fire during Hurricane Sandy. Firefighters couldn't get in until scene was clear.

Map, link to scanner audio, at the story. Audio is chilling.

Posted by Chuck Simmins 2012-12-24 15:42|| http://northshorejournal.org 2012-12-24 15:42|| Front Page Top

#8 As has been said before - we wonder why this is very rare in UK...

I wonder how the government there would behave if every citizen had a firearm.

Posted by gorb 2012-12-24 16:09|| 2012-12-24 16:09|| Front Page Top

#9 As has been said before - we wonder why this is very rare in UK...

Was it the Telegraph or the Daily Mail that ran a story a few days ago about how the Brits may technically have been disarmed, but nonetheless are considerably more likely to experience violence than Americans. Something about knives, baseball bats and fists, not to mention your tolerance of school bullies. And of course, America doesn't have yobs and their football... we regularly take our children to such things without needing to worry about their safety.

Posted by trailing wife 2012-12-24 16:57|| 2012-12-24 16:57|| Front Page Top

#10 Webster is just east of Rochester

Once again demonstrating my poor geographic skills. Oh well. At least the situation was resolved quickly. Those poor families, dealing with such unexpected grief on Christmas Eve.

Posted by trailing wife 2012-12-24 17:02|| 2012-12-24 17:02|| Front Page Top

#11 Meanwhile, in Britain.

Also hear about French firefighters being attacked when responding to car-b-ques. Then there was the great question of why AmazonUK's top selling items were riot gear/baseball bats (baseball bats being quite a bit lighter).

Posted by swksvolFF 2012-12-24 18:47|| 2012-12-24 18:47|| Front Page Top

00:33 EMS Artifact